Bid to bring pride back to inner city takes off

29 September 2016

 

Operation Buyis’ iJozi – the City of Johannesburg’s initiative to bring pride back to the inner city, attract investors and grow the economy – is in full swing.

 

The 100-day operation, which was re-launched on Monday September 26, officially kicked off the following day when City officials, led by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD), moved street by street to enforce by-laws.

Other entities that came on board were Johannesburg Water, Pikitup and the Johannesburg Roads Agency. Men and women in orange combed several areas in the inner city, including Rissik Street, Joubert Park, Wanderers Street and the Noord Street Taxi Rank, to ensure adherence to by-laws.

JMPD offers issued traffic fines to motorists who were not complying with the by-laws. Hawkers who were trading outside designated areas had their goods confiscated. Inner city rejuvenation is part of the 10-point plan by Johannesburg Executive Mayor Cllr Herman Mashaba to restore the city to its former glory and achieve a 5% economic growth rate.

“There are lots of businesses in the area. We deploy our officers from 5am to enforce the by-laws. Closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras also assist us in fighting crime. Our aim is to spend the next three weeks here before moving to the next area. More than 350 officers have been assigned for this operation,” said Chief Superintendent Wayne Minnaar.

He said hijacked buildings would also be targeted and necessary action taken against slumlords.

Operation Buyis’ iJozi is a continuation of a programme launched in late 2014. It is part of the City’s strategy to create conditions for investors to return to the inner city, which has been plagued by a high rate of crime and filth.

The 24/7 operation is expected to run until the festive season and extend into January 2017.